Lucas Hernandez (February 14, 1996, Marseille) It was not easy for him at Bayern. The Bundesliga champion paid 80 kilos to Atlético de Madrid and made him the most expensive signing of his award-winning history, a figure that German experts do not stop reminding him of when he does not spend an afternoon of glory. In an exclusive chat with AS, the world champion explains why he emerged stronger from all the setbacks he suffered since his arrival in Munich.
Is Villarreal more dangerous as a team or the favoritism you were given from the draw?
Villarreal, without a doubt. If they are in the quarterfinals, it is because they made merits to be there. They have been demonstrating it based on effort and work both in the group stage and in the round of 16 against Juve. For them, being in the quarterfinals is a prize. But a deserved award. I imagine that now they will want to move on. It will be an open and beautiful match for the spectator.
What did you think of that 0-3 in Turin?
I only saw the summary, but they told me that it was a first half with a lot of pressure from Juve and that, already in the second, Villarreal grew and put in what they had. In the end, it is what counts and what makes the difference in this competition: being decisive in front of goal.
How is Villarreal perceived in Germany?
It’s not a well-known team in Germany, but having been lucky enough to play in Spain, I know it’s not just any team. They are strong, especially at home. We will have to go out very focused from the first minute. If not, we will have a bad time.
Is Emery’s Villarreal comparable to Atlético in 2016?
Well, that Atleti who reached the Champions League final had been at the top of LaLiga for a few years. As for Villarreal, yes it may be a surprise for some who have reached the quarterfinals, but the truth is that it is the result of the work that has been carried out there for years. He now he has touched them with us and we are very ambitious. We want to arrive, win and go to the semi-finals.
What do you think Emery?
A great trainer. If you have fought for important things in practically all the teams you have been through, it says a lot about your quality. I always see him with very clear ideas and he has been doing a spectacular job at Villarreal.
Gerard and company will want to test that defensive fragility that is so much talked about.
We are talking about some Champions quarters, at this point it is difficult against anyone. But we know how to deal with these types of situations. It will be up to us to stop their forwards and, up front, I think we have plenty of arguments to hurt their defense.
Is Bayern’s defense being unfairly criticized?
If you lose 4-2 against Bochum or 5-0 against Gladbach, then it is clear that we will have some blame. However, I believe that when we lose, we all lose and vice versa. I am not of the opinion that this type of defeat is exclusively the fault of the defense. Our staging is very offensive and that also has an influence in my opinion. When you play with such an offensive orientation, there are always spaces behind and you usually defend one on one. The rival will always have one. If he nails it, we the defenders are the ones who are most portrayed. Even so, I think we are doing a good job at the back. It is true that there were some games in which we were not too successful, but I am convinced that we have also done our bit to be able to be in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Such an offensive staging carries risks, especially for the defense.
It’s a risky game, but a game we like. The coach wants to play to win and, at the same time, to offer a show. It’s what we do. When Bayern enter the field, he does so to win, convince and score as many goals as possible. It is our identity.
Club legends have a lot of say in Munich. Matthäus, for example, recently said that he expected more from the most expensive player in Bayern history.
These are things that this sport entails. I’ve been involved in football for a long time and I know that there will always be people giving their opinion. Each one is dedicated to something. Players are exposed to that, to criticism and praise. We are aware and it is part of our work. When a club is willing to pay 80 million for you, you will always be in the spotlight, but I focus on my thing, which is playing football. I’m happy on the pitch and I try to put external opinions aside. If Cristiano or Messi were criticized in their day, who is going to be saved in this football?
Did the 80 million never suppose an extra pressure?
No, the only thing I can do is give it my all on the pitch. To some I will seem better, to another worse, but these are things that never weighed me down. I know where my virtues are and I will always do my best to help my team.
What did Alaba and Boateng’s departures mean for Bayern?
They were two key players for us who had been here for many years. They knew the house very well, they were starters practically during their entire time at Bayern and they left a void. But it is also true that we have changed our scheme a bit since Nagelsmann arrived. With Flick we played with a fixed line of four, now we also use a line of three with two very offensive lanes. It depends a lot on the opponent, we are able to go back to the line of four when necessary. It’s all a bit more flexible now.
You train daily with Lewandowski. He Is he as indefensible as he seems?
Robert is a great player. Both in my national team and in my club I am lucky to play with the best in the world and Robert is one of them. I hope you stay with us for a long time.
Is he better than Haaland?
They are personal tastes. In my opinion, they are two different players, but two cracks inside the area.
What balance do you make after almost three years in Munich?
It was a change of life with respect to Madrid. He wanted to change the air, the culture, learn other languages and other ways of life. At the beginning it is always complicated, but I am already completely adapted to all this. Especially when it comes to timing.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Yes. (laughs) Here they usually eat at 12 noon and have dinner at 6, 7 in the afternoon. Maybe that’s what impressed me the most at first. You go downtown to have dinner at a restaurant and the kitchen closes at 10:30. In Spain I was going to have dinner at 11 at night. But hey, they are different lifestyles. I find it interesting. I have two years left on my contract here and the truth is that I’m doing very well.
Despite the polar cold that it usually does in winter?
And how long winter is for you. (laughs) It lasts a long time. It has nothing to do with Madrid. The cold here is really cold. But they are prepared. It can snow all night, but the roads are always clean and salty in the morning and you can drive just fine.
In this case, the topic of meticulousness is fulfilled.
Totally, in this aspect the Germans are phenomena. They are very disciplined people, very serious. When they have to do something, they do it and they don’t spend two days like elsewhere. (laughs)
At Bayern you have experienced injuries, substitutions and personal setbacks. Do you already feel free of all weight?
Totally, my current moment has nothing to do with my arrival. Injuries are the worst thing that can happen to a footballer and unfortunately I had to go through a series of injuries that I had never had to overcome in the past. But you come out stronger and you begin to value much more the fact of being able to be on a pitch. It has also contributed to the fact that, today, he gives more importance to leading a healthy life.
At some point did it cross your mind to change the scene again?
It is something that always crosses your mind when you go through moments of certain difficulty. You wonder if you want to stay where you are or not. However, I consider myself an optimistic person who always tries to think positively. When I fell, I always told myself over and over again that I would get back up and play here. It’s what I really want. I want to fulfill the five years for which I signed because I am very happy, very adapted and I feel that everyone, regardless of whether they are teammates, coaching staff or managers, are on my side.
Now you will speak more French than Spanish in the sports city.
Of course, now I only have Marc. Before I also had Javi and Thiago, but they left me. The French are a good band, seven in total.
What goals are you pursuing in the two years remaining on your contract?
On a sporting level, we all want to win the Champions League again. It is our main goal and, hopefully, we will raise it again. Otherwise, enjoy. We’ll see what the future holds, I think now is not the time to think about what will happen in two years. I am to think more in the short term and in the day to day. I keep playing and I keep enjoying it, especially now that I have more continuity. On a personal level, I want to continue being happy with my family and with my girl, who is expecting our second child.
And the German, how are you doing?
Well. Learning more and more and, little by little, trying to give interviews in German. Many don’t turn out perfect for me, I understand practically everything my classmates tell me. And speak, just. (laughs)